Rearview assembly

ABSTRACT

A rearview assembly having an electro-optic element. A front substrate defines a first surface and a second surface. A front side edge is disposed between the first surface and the second surface. A rear substrate is operably coupled with the front substrate and spaced a predetermined distance therefrom. The rear substrate defines a third surface and a fourth surface. A rear side edge is disposed between the third surface and the fourth surface. A perimeter of the rear substrate is larger than a perimeter of the front substrate, such that an outer portion of the third surface is exposed, thereby defining a peripheral step between the front side edge and the rear side edge. An electro-optic material is disposed between the front substrate and the rear substrate. A bezel is configured to extend around the rear substrate, over the outer portion of the third surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit under 37 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/052,619, filed on Sep. 19,2014, entitled “REARVIEW ASSEMBLY,” the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a rearview assembly for avehicle, and more specifically, to a rearview assembly with anelectrochromic element.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

One aspect of the present disclosure includes a rearview assembly havingan electrochromic element. A front substrate defines a first surface anda second surface. A front side edge is disposed between the firstsurface and the second surface. A rear substrate is operably coupledwith the front substrate and spaced a predetermined distance therefrom.The rear substrate defines a third surface and a fourth surface. A rearside edge is disposed between the third surface and the fourth surface.A perimeter of the rear substrate is larger than a perimeter of thefront substrate, such that an outer portion of the third surface isexposed, thereby defining a peripheral step between the front side edgeand the rear side edge. An electrochromic material is disposed betweenthe front substrate and the rear substrate. A bezel is configured toextend around the rear substrate, over the outer portion of the thirdsurface.

Another aspect of the present disclosure includes a rearview assemblyhaving an electrochromic element. A front substrate defines a firstsurface and a second surface. A front side edge is disposed between thefirst surface and the second surface. A first area defined by the firstsurface is smaller than a second area defined by the second surface. Thefront side edge tapers outwardly from the first surface to the secondsurface. A rear substrate is operably coupled with the front substrateand spaced a predetermined distance therefrom. The rear substratedefines a third surface and a fourth surface. A rear side edge isdisposed between the third surface and the fourth surface. Anelectrochromic material is disposed between the front substrate and therear substrate. A bezel is configured to extend over the rear substrate,proximate the front substrate. The bezel includes an inner wall that istapered to substantially compliment the taper of the front side edge anda substantially flat front wall that is generally coplanar with thefirst surface of the front substrate.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure includes a rearviewassembly having an electrochromic element. A front substrate defines afirst surface and a second surface. A front side edge is disposedbetween the first surface and the second surface. A rear substrate isoperably coupled with the front substrate and spaced a predetermineddistance therefrom. The rear substrate defines a third surface and afourth surface. A rear side edge is disposed between the third surfaceand the fourth surface. A perimeter of the rear substrate is larger thana perimeter of the front substrate, such that an outer portion of thethird surface is exposed, thereby defining a peripheral step between thefront side edge and the rear side edge. An electrochromic material isdisposed between the front substrate and the rear substrate. A carrierplate is disposed proximate the fourth surface of the rear substrate andincludes a peripheral engagement flange extending rearwardly from thecarrier plate. A circuit board is supported by the carrier plate andincludes a wire connection port configured for engagement with a powerand data plug. A bezel is configured to extend around the rearsubstrate, over the outer portion of the third surface.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure includes a rearviewassembly having an electrochromic element. A front substrate defines afirst surface and a second surface and a front side edge is disposedbetween the first surface and the second surface. A rear substrate isoperably coupled with the front substrate and is spaced a predetermineddistance therefrom. The rear substrate defines a third surface and afourth surface and a rear side edge is disposed between the thirdsurface and the fourth surface. An electrochromic material is disposedbetween the front substrate and the rear substrate. A housing is free ofa wire harness assembly and includes a power/data plug in a rear portionthereof. A pivot ball is operably coupled to a rear portion of thehousing and is configured to receive a vehicle wire harness that engagesthe power/data plug.

Still another aspect of the present disclosure includes a rearviewassembly having an electrochromic element that includes a frontsubstrate and a rear substrate. The rear substrate includes a largerouter perimeter than the front substrate and is configured for placementin front of or inside a rearview assembly housing. A bezel is providedthat is configured to extend over peripheral edges of the frontsubstrate and the rear substrate. The bezel includes a front wall thatis substantially coplanar a first surface of the front substrate and asidewall that is substantially flush with an outer wall of the housing.Accordingly, a smooth and apparently seamless transition is made fromthe first surface of the front substrate around the bezel and to theoutside surface of the housing. This construction leads to a thinprofile for the rearview assembly as a whole, thereby providing a moregraspable rearview assembly for a user, a lighter rearview assembly,which is useful in minimizing fatigue on a ball joint of the rearviewassembly.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present disclosurewill be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art uponstudying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. Itwill also be understood that features of each embodiment disclosedherein may be used in conjunction with, or as a replacement for,features of the other embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front top perspective view of one embodiment of a rearviewassembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a rear top perspective view of the rearview assembly of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a first side elevational view of the rearview assembly of FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is a second side elevational view of the rearview assembly ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an exploded front perspective view of another embodiment of arearview assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A is a side cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the rearviewassembly of FIG. 5 after assembly;

FIG. 5B is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of area VB of therearview assembly of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6 is an exploded front perspective view of another embodiment of arearview assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6A is a side cross-sectional view of the rearview assembly of FIG.6 after assembly;

FIG. 6B is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of area VIB of therearview assembly of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7 is an exploded front perspective view of yet another embodimentof a rearview assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7A is a side cross-sectional view of the rearview assembly of FIG.7 after assembly; and

FIG. 7B is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of area VIIB of therearview assembly of FIG. 7A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in FIG. 1. However,it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume variousalternative orientations, except where expressly specified to thecontrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices andprocesses illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in thefollowing specification are simply exemplary embodiments of theinventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specificdimensions and other physical characteristics relating to theembodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting,unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

In this document, relational terms, such as first and second, top andbottom, and the like, are used solely to distinguish one entity oraction from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring orimplying any actual such relationship or order between such entities oractions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variationthereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that aprocess, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elementsdoes not include only those elements but may include other elements notexpressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, orapparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, withoutmore constraints, preclude the existence of additional identicalelements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprisesthe element.

As used herein, the term “and/or,” when used in a list of two or moreitems, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself,or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed.For example, if a composition is described as containing components A,B, and/or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; Aand B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; orA, B, and C in combination.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5B, reference numeral 10 generally designates arearview assembly having an electro-optic element, such as anelectrochromic element 12. A front substrate 14 defines a first surface16 and a second surface 18. A front side edge 20 is disposed between thefirst surface 16 and the second surface 18. A rear substrate 22 isoperably coupled with the front substrate 14 and spaced a predetermineddistance therefrom. The rear substrate 22 defines a third surface 24 anda fourth surface 26. A rear side edge 28 is disposed between the thirdsurface 24 and the fourth surface 26. A perimeter 30 of the rearsubstrate 22 is larger than a perimeter 32 of the front substrate 14,such that an outer portion 34 of the third surface 24 is exposed,thereby defining a peripheral step 36 between the front side edge 20 andthe rear side edge 28. An electro-optic material, such as anelectrochromic material 40 is disposed between the front substrate 14and the rear substrate 22. A bezel 42 is configured to extend around therear substrate 22 over the outer portion 34 of the third surface 24.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-13, the illustrated rearview assembly 10 isgenerally configured for use in an interior of a vehicle. Morespecifically, the rearview assembly 10 is configured for attachment to awindshield or a headliner of a vehicle. The rearview assembly 10 has ahousing 43 with a smooth outer appearance. Specifically, the rearviewassembly 10 gives the impression of a smooth seamless transition fromthe first surface 16 of the front substrate 14 roughly 90 degrees to anouter sidewall of the housing 43. It will be understood that the housing43 may take on a variety of constructions and is not limited to theconfiguration shown herein. Although a double ball configuration isillustrated, any of the constructions discussed herein can be used withsingle ball or double ball systems. The housing 43 includes a recess 44in a rear wall 46 of the housing 43. The recess 44 is configured toreceive a pivot ball assembly 47 that includes a pivot ball 48 on a rearside 50 and a power/data relay 51 having a power/data plug 52 on a frontside 54 (see FIG. 9). An inside area 55 of the rear wall 46 of thehousing 43 includes a honeycomb type reinforcing structure 57 configuredto provide additional structural rigidity to the housing 43. It iscontemplated that further reinforcing structures can also be utilized.

With reference to FIGS. 5-5B, a plurality of attachment features 56secure a bracket 58 holding the power/data plug 52. By nesting the dataplug 52 into the bracket 58, there is no vehicle wire harness extendinginside the housing 43, which minimizes or eliminates the possibility ofpinching/shorting out wires if the rearview assembly 10 is assembledincorrectly in production. In addition, because the housing 43 is freeof wires in a rear portion of the housing 43, the housing 43 can be madesmaller and sleeker, or can be configured to accommodate othercomponents. The power/data plug 52 is configured to engage a vehiclewire harness 59 that extends through the pivot ball 48. The vehicle wireharness 59 is coupled with the vehicle and may be connected with a cambus of the vehicle. As illustrated, the power/data plug 52 is configuredfor reception into a receiving aperture 61 defined through the rear wall46 of the housing 43. The rear wall 46 of the housing 43 is disposedbetween the pivot ball assembly 47 and the bracket 58. A circuit board60 is positioned in the housing 43 in front of the bracket 58 andincludes a connection port operably coupled thereto for receiving thepower/data plug 52. The circuit board 60 includes a plurality of notches62 configured to engage alignment features 64 disposed in the housing43. In addition, the circuit board 60 includes a glare sensor aperture66 for receiving a glare sensor lens 68, as well as receiving slots 70for receiving engagement arms 72 of the glare sensor lens 68. The glaresensor lens 68 is operably coupled with the circuit board 60 andconfigured to extend through a receiving cavity 74 in an oversizedcarrier plate 76. The carrier plate 76 includes a number of attachmentfeatures disposed about a periphery thereof, as well as a peripheralengagement flange 78 that extends rearwardly from the carrier plate 76.The peripheral engagement flange 78 extends generally orthogonallyrelative to the planar extent of the carrier plate 76. Further, thecarrier plate 76 includes a front planar surface 80 that is configuredfor attachment with an adhesive material 82 that supports the fourthsurface 26 of the rear substrate 22. The adhesive may be provided in avariety of manners, for example, the adhesive may be a foam material ora dispensable liquid. The rear substrate 22 is adjacent to the frontsubstrate 14 and the electrochromic material 40 is disposedtherebetween. The electrochromic element 12 may include a peripheralhiding layer 100 configured to conceal J-clips or bus bar 84 disposed onthe periphery of the electrochromic element 12 and the carrier plate 76are retained in the housing 43 by the bezel 42.

With reference again to FIGS. 5-5B, the bezel 42 is generally configuredto extend around at least a portion of the electrochromic element 12.The bezel 42 includes a forward securing portion 85 that extends infront of the rear substrate 22 such that the outer portion 34 of thethird surface 24 is covered by the bezel 42. An inner wall 83 of thebezel 42 is configured to substantially complement the front side edge20 of the front substrate 14. This configuration conceals the J-clip orbus bar 84 from view such that the size of any concealing layer can beminimized. Alternatively, in some instances, it may be possible tocompletely eliminate the concealing layer altogether. The forwardsecuring portion 85 is proximate or in abutting contact with the frontside edge 20 of the front substrate 14. A body portion 86 of the bezel42 includes a rear notched portion 87 configured to operably couple witha complementary notched portion 88 on a forward edge 89 of the housing43. The electrochromic element 12 is generally disposed inside a portionof the housing 43 and is supported by the carrier plate 76. Aspreviously noted, the carrier plate 76 is operably coupled to the fourthsurface 26 of the rear substrate 22 by the adhesive material 82. Anouter portion of the fourth surface 26 of the rear substrate 22 isgenerally free of the adhesive material 82. Similarly, an aperture 91defined in the carrier plate 76 configured to receive the glare sensorlens 68 is also generally free of the adhesive material 82.

With reference once again to FIGS. 5-5B, in addition to engaging thealignment features 64 of the housing 43, the circuit board 60 is alsoconfigured to be received between top and bottom flange members 90, 92of the peripheral engagement flange 78 of the carrier plate 76. Theperipheral engagement flange 78 of the carrier plate 76 extendsrearwardly from the carrier plate 76 about a periphery of the carrierplate 76 on a rear side thereof. As noted herein, the glare sensor lens68 is operably coupled with the circuit board 60 and is configured forreception in the receiving cavity 74 defined in the carrier plate 76.One of a J-clip or bus bar 84 is configured to extend between the frontsubstrate 14 and the rear substrate 22. In addition, at least the rearsubstrate 22 is configured to be at least partially covered by the bezel42 during assembly.

With reference now to FIGS. 6-6B, another embodiment of the presentdisclosure is illustrated. It will be understood that features of thisembodiment that are similar to the previous embodiment will include thesame reference numerals. In this embodiment, a bus bar 84 or J-clip isused in conjunction with the front substrate 14 and the rear substrate22. The bus bar 84 or J-clip is hidden by the peripheral hiding layer100 generally designed to conceal the bus bar 84 or J-clip from viewthrough the first surface 16 of the front substrate 14. It is alsocontemplated that the peripheral hiding layer 100 may, in combinationwith the bezel 42, hide the bus bar 84 or J-clip. A seal 106 is disposedoutside the peripheral hiding layer 100. It is contemplated that theseal 106 may be a black epoxy seal that extends around the entireperimeter. In the illustrated embodiment, the seal 106 is a silverepoxy, which could be replaced with a bus bar, if desired. As shown inFIG. 6A, the first surface 16 includes an area that is generally lessthan an area of the second surface 18 of the front substrate 14.However, the second surface 18 of the front substrate 14 includes anarea that is generally similar to or the same as the area of the thirdsurface 24 and the fourth surface 26 of the rear substrate 22. The frontsubstrate 14 includes a tapered front side edge 20 that tapers outwardlyfrom the first surface 16 of the second surface 18. Notably, the bezel42 is designed to extend around an edge of the electrochromic element12. More specifically, the inner wall 83 of the bezel 42 is tapered tosubstantially complement the taper of the front side edge 20 of thefront substrate 14. It is contemplated that the forward securing portion85 may be in abutting contact with the front side edge 20 or spaced apredetermined distance therefrom. In addition, the bezel 42 includes asubstantially flat front wall 104 that is generally coplanar with thefirst surface 16 of the front substrate 14. This construction allows foran aesthetically pleasing construction that is easily graspable by auser and provides a nice fit and finish.

With reference again to FIGS. 6-6B, the tapered bezel 42 extendspartially in front of the second surface 18 of the front substrate 14,as well as the third surface 24 and the fourth surface 26 of the rearsubstrate 22. The bezel 42 includes a small cutout 110 configured toaccommodate a bus bar 84 or J-clip proximate the rear side edge 28 ofthe rear substrate 22. Consequently, the peripheral hiding layer 100 canbe relatively small and cover less than 4.5 mm and possibly less than 2mm of the third surface 24. Stated differently, the peripheral hidinglayer 100 extends less than 3 mm from the front side edge 20 of thefront substrate 14 into an intermediate area between the second surface18 and the third surface 24.

With reference now to FIGS. 7-7B, another embodiment of the presentdisclosure is illustrated. As with the previous embodiments, it will beunderstood that features of this embodiment that are similar to theprevious embodiments will include the same reference numerals. In thisembodiment, the front substrate 14 has a perimeter that is smaller thana perimeter of the rear substrate 22, similar to the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 5B. However, unlike the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 5B, the front side edge 20 of the front substrate 14 is angled.Further, because the perimeter of the rear substrate 22 is larger thanthe perimeter of the front substrate 14, the outer portion 34 of thethird surface 24 of the rear substrate 22 is exposed, thereby defining aperipheral step between the front side edge 20 and the rear side edge28. In addition, a first area defined by the first surface 16 is smallerthan a second area defined by the second surface 18. Thus, the frontside edge 20 tapers outwardly from the first surface 16 to the secondsurface 18. The tapered bezel 42 extends partially in front of thesecond surface 18 of the front substrate 14, as well as the thirdsurface 24 and the fourth surface 26 of the rear substrate 22.Consequently, the peripheral hiding layer 100 can be relatively smalland cover less than 4.5 mm and possibly less than 2 mm of the thirdsurface 24. Stated differently, the peripheral hiding layer 100 extendsless than 3 mm from the front side edge 20 of the front substrate 14into an intermediate area between the second surface 18 and the thirdsurface 24. The bezel 42, as shown in FIG. 7B, includes an enlargedcutout 120 configured to accommodate the bus bar 84 or a J-clip.

The present disclosure may be used with a rearview assembly such as thatdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,925,891; 8,814,373; 8,201,800; and8,210,695; U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2014/0063630 and2012/0327234; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 61/709,716;61/707,676; and 61/704,869, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entirety. Further, the present disclosure may be usedwith a rearview packaging assembly such as that described in U.S. Pat.Nos. 8,885,240; 8,814,373; 8,646,924; 8,643,931; and 8,264,761; and U.S.Provisional Patent Application Nos. 61/707,625; and 61/590,259, whichare hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.Additionally, it is contemplated that the present disclosure can includea bezel such as that described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,827,517; 8,210,695;and 8,201,800, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art thatconstruction of the described disclosure and other components is notlimited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of thedisclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety ofmaterials, unless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of itsforms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining oftwo components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to oneanother. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature.Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical ormechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the twocomponents. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removableor releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement ofthe elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments isillustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the presentinnovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example,elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, theoperation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, thelength or width of the structures and/or members or connector or otherelements of the system may be varied, the nature or numeral ofadjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. Itshould be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may beconstructed from any of a wide variety of materials that providesufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors,textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the present innovations.Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired andother exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of thepresent innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps withindescribed processes may be combined with other disclosed processes orsteps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. Theexemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrativepurposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can bemade on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing fromthe concepts of the present disclosure, and further it is to beunderstood that such concepts are intended to be covered by thefollowing claims unless these claims by their language expressly stateotherwise.

1. A rearview assembly comprising: an electro-optic element including: afront substrate defining a first surface and a second surface and afront side edge disposed between the first surface and the secondsurface; a rear substrate operably coupled with the front substrate andspaced a predetermined distance therefrom, the rear substrate defining athird surface and a fourth surface and a rear side edge disposed betweenthe third surface and the fourth surface, wherein a perimeter of therear substrate is larger than a perimeter of the front substrate, suchthat an outer portion of the third surface is exposed, thereby defininga peripheral step between the front side edge and the rear side edge;and an electro-optic material disposed between the front substrate andthe rear substrate; and a bezel configured to extend around the rearsubstrate, over the outer portion of the third surface.
 2. The rearviewassembly of claim 1, wherein the bezel includes a substantially flatfront wall that is generally coplanar with the first surface of thefront substrate.
 3. The rearview assembly of claim 1, wherein a firstarea defined by the first surface is smaller than a second area definedby the second surface, and wherein the front side edge tapers outwardlyfrom the first surface to the second surface.
 4. The rearview assemblyof claim 1, further comprising: a housing; and a wire harness extendingthrough a pivot ball that extends from a rear wall of the housing. 5.The rearview assembly of claim 4, further comprising: a circuit boardproximate the electro-optic element having a connection port operablycoupled thereto.
 6. The rearview assembly of claim 5, furthercomprising: a power and data plug operably coupling the connection portwith a vehicle wire harness that extends through a housing of saidrearview assembly.
 7. The rearview assembly of claim 1, furthercomprising: a peripheral hiding layer disposed between the secondsurface and the third surface.
 8. The rearview assembly of claim 7,wherein the peripheral hiding layer extends less than 3 mm from thefront side edge of the front substrate into an intermediate area betweenthe second surface and the third surface.
 9. The rearview assembly ofclaim 8, wherein the peripheral hiding layer and the bezel generallyconceal one of a J-clip and a bus bar from view through the firstsurface of the front substrate.
 10. A rearview assembly comprising: anelectro-optic element including: a front substrate defining a firstsurface and a second surface and a front side edge disposed between thefirst surface and the second surface, wherein a first area defined bythe first surface is smaller than a second area defined by the secondsurface and wherein the front side edge tapers outwardly from the firstsurface to the second surface; a rear substrate operably coupled withthe front substrate and spaced a predetermined distance therefrom, therear substrate defining a third surface and a fourth surface and a rearside edge disposed between the third surface and the fourth surface; andan electro-optic material disposed between the front substrate and therear substrate; and a bezel configured to extend over the rearsubstrate, proximate the front substrate, the bezel including an innerwall that is tapered to substantially compliment the taper of the frontside edge, and further including a substantially flat front wall that isgenerally coplanar with the first surface of the front substrate. 11.The rearview assembly of claim 10, further comprising: a circuit boardproximate the electro-optic element having a connection port operablycoupled thereto.
 12. The rearview assembly of claim 10, furthercomprising: a housing; and a wire harness extending through a pivot ballthat extends from a rear wall of the housing.
 13. The rearview assemblyof claim 10, wherein a perimeter of the rear substrate is larger than aperimeter of the front substrate, such that an outer portion of thethird surface is exposed, thereby defining a peripheral step between thefront side edge and the rear side edge.
 14. The rearview assembly ofclaim 10, further comprising: a housing; and a carrier plate disposedproximate the fourth surface of the rear substrate and including aperipheral engagement flange extending rearwardly from the carrier platethat is configured for engagement with an inner wall of the housing. 15.The rearview assembly of claim 10, further comprising: a peripheralhiding layer disposed between the second surface and the third surface.16. A rearview assembly comprising: an electro-optic element including:a front substrate defining a first surface and a second surface and afront side edge disposed between the first surface and the secondsurface; a rear substrate operably coupled with the front substrate andspaced a predetermined distance therefrom, the rear substrate defining athird surface and a fourth surface and a rear side edge disposed betweenthe third surface and the fourth surface, wherein a perimeter of therear substrate is larger than a perimeter of the front substrate, suchthat an outer portion of the third surface is exposed, thereby defininga peripheral step between the front side edge and the rear side edge;and an electro-optic material disposed between the front substrate andthe rear substrate; a carrier plate disposed proximate the fourthsurface of the rear substrate and including a peripheral engagementflange extending rearwardly from the carrier plate; a circuit boardsupported by the carrier plate and including a connection portconfigured for engagement with a power and data plug; and a bezelconfigured to extend around the rear substrate, over the outer portionof the third surface.
 17. The rearview assembly of claim 16, wherein thebezel further includes an inner wall that is tapered to substantiallycompliment the taper of the front side edge.
 18. The rearview assemblyof claim 16, wherein the bezel includes a substantially flat front wallthat is generally coplanar with the first surface of the frontsubstrate.
 19. The rearview assembly of claim 16, wherein the first areadefined by the first surface is smaller than the second area defined bythe second surface, and wherein the front side edge tapers outwardlyfrom the first surface to the second surface.
 20. The rearview assemblyof claim 16, wherein the wire connection port is fixedly attached to arear wall of the circuit board, and wherein the power and data plug isconfigured for reception in a receiving aperture defined through a rearwall of a housing of the rearview assembly.
 21. A rearview assemblycomprising: an electro-optic element including: a front substratedefining a first surface and a second surface and a front side edgedisposed between the first surface and the second surface; a rearsubstrate operably coupled with the front substrate and spaced apredetermined distance therefrom, the rear substrate defining a thirdsurface and a fourth surface and a rear side edge disposed between thethird surface and the fourth surface; and an electro-optic materialdisposed between the front substrate and the rear substrate; a housingthat is free of a wire harness assembly and which includes a power/dataplug in a rear portion thereof; and a pivot ball operably coupled to arear portion of the housing and configured to receive a vehicle wireharness that engages the power/data plug.